Learning Immortal Arts, A New Prophecy

A week had passed since the New Year.

After that incident, the friendship between everyone had deepened, and their bonds had grown even stronger.

Even Sasuke's face, usually clouded with gloom, now wore occasional relaxed smiles.

Hise also planned to leave Konoha for a time.

He had previously visited Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode, and as for Mount Myoboku... he could only say that "December" was arriving far too slowly.

After contacting Jiraiya, he was summoned to Mount Myoboku amidst a flurry of complaints from the man.

"Hmm, not bad. The air seems much fresher here than in other places; it truly lives up to its reputation as a gathering place for natural energy."

Just then, an old toad appeared beside Hise and looked at Jiraiya:

"Little Jiraiya, is this the person you spoke of?"

"Yes, Sage Fukasaku."

"You carry the natural energy of another holy land on you. Shikkotsu Forest?"

"That is correct."

Hise nodded.

He then looked at the screen in front of him, visible only to himself.

Master Sage Mode of the Three Holy Lands
Progress: 1/3

Sage Fukasaku stroked his whiskers and exclaimed in surprise:

"It seems you have quite the ambition, little one. You intend to master the Sage Mode of all three holy lands?"

Hise did not hide his intentions and nodded.

"That is incredibly difficult. Furthermore, the Sage Mode of each holy land is unique, their training methods differ, and the dangers during cultivation are distinct. A moment of carelessness could cost you your life. Are you still determined to train? A genius like you is rare; you should give this more thought before making your decision."

Sage Fukasaku shook his head, clearly not wishing for Hise to attempt it.

"Sage Fukasaku," Hise spoke up, "I have already made my decision. Take me to see the Great Toad Sage; I do not undertake tasks without being certain of success."

Sage Fukasaku frowned and said:

"You young people! Sigh, very well... follow me."

The two followed Sage Fukasaku into the great hall, where a massive toad sat dozing on a high throne.

"Great Toad Sage, the young man who wishes to learn Sage Mode has arrived."

There was no response.

"Great Toad Sage!"

"Oh, who is it? And who are these two?"

"Ugh!"

"This is Jiraiya, Great Toad Sage," Sage Fukasaku said helplessly.

"Oh, so it's little Jiraiya. And who is this? Hmm? He looks quite familiar."

Thinking the Great Toad Sage was still muddled from his nap, Sage Fukasaku spoke up:

"This is the young man who wishes to learn our Mount Myoboku Sage Mode, Uchiha Hise."

The Great Toad Sage waved a hand and said:

"I know. Child, you are not yet prepared."

"Hmm?"

Not only Hise, but Sage Fukasaku and Jiraiya were also puzzled.

"They are coming very suddenly."

Hise's pupils constricted.

"Senior, what did you dream of?"

The Great Toad Sage let out a laugh.

"It seems you have guessed it. I saw a shattered earth, a young man with long black hair and a face full of rage, and a young man with yellow hair and blue eyes, weeping in sorrow. They looked at the gray-white corpses scattered across the land, venting the fury in their hearts."

"There was also a young man with short black hair and only one arm, staring blankly at a tree, holding a blade to his own throat."

"Looking up, there were only severed limbs and forests."

"Forests?"

Sage Fukasaku and Jiraiya were confused; what could severed limbs possibly have to do with forests?

Only Hise understood: White Zetsu! Those who become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and trigger the Infinite Tsukuyomi, or those whose chakra is drained by the Divine Tree, turn into White Zetsu, and when White Zetsu die... they turn into trees.

So, the forest was... the remains of the dead White Zetsu.

"Was it a defeat?"

"No."

Hearing the Great Toad Sage's reply, Fei Shi gave a bitter smile.

That meant it was a pyrrhic victory.

Aside from himself, Naruto, and Sasuke, everyone else must have... died.

The trees scattered across the shattered earth were most likely new and old White Zetsu.

It was highly probable that a large number of experts from the Otsutsuki Clan had descended and launched the Infinite Tsukuyomi; those who weren't affected were killed, leaving only severed limbs and broken bodies...

"Great Toad Sage, do you happen to know the strength and foundation of that clan?"

"I am not clear on that either. Aside from that one, I do not know of the others."

After a moment of silence, the Great Toad Sage told him to prepare to begin practicing Sage Mode.

Fei Shi set aside the questions in his heart, emptied his mind, and under the guidance of Sage Fukasaku, began his path of cultivation.

"Great Toad Sage, I don't know what you mean by those things. Is it a new prophecy?"

"Yes, it is a new prophecy. Has the Child of Prophecy from before been found?"

Looking at the Great Toad Sage, Jiraiya was speechless. He had already told the Great Toad Sage about the Child of Prophecy years ago.

"Um, Great Toad Sage, I already told you that I found him."

"Oh, is that so."

Gamarumaru nodded.

"Then, Great Toad Sage, what is the new prophecy? Isn't it that Naruto will bring peace to the Ninja World?"

Jiraiya voiced his confusion.

He truly did not want to experience war again, even though he was on the winning side every time.

"The previous prophecy has changed. The Child of Prophecy is the key to resisting those People from Beyond the Heavens. As for why it has come to this? I do not know."

Beyond the Heavens? Outside the Ninja World? Was the situation that dire?

Jiraiya swallowed hard.

The next day.

"Fei Shi, what are your plans? Regarding that prophecy. I feel like you have already fully deciphered it."

Jiraiya spoke to Fei Shi, who was drinking and deep in thought ahead of him.

"Hic!"

Fei Shi let out a drunken hiccup, then replied:

"The progress of the revolution is proceeding as planned, but production must be intensified. Furthermore, we must increase the promotion of various new crops, using the name of the Chamber of Commerce."

"What about Naruto? What do you intend to do with him?"

"Naruto is still young. When he grows a bit older, I will have him and Sasuke come to train in Sage Mode together."

Jiraiya said with some dissatisfaction:

"What about the prophecy? Don't try to brush it off."

Fei Shi might not tell others, but he had never intended to hide anything from Jiraiya.

"It is the Otsutsuki Clan. The Sage of Six Paths' mother came from this group. His mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki, is the Progenitor of Chakra. The well-known Kekkei Genkai in the Ninja World today are all inherited from her. Uchiha, Senju, Hyuga, and so on."

Jiraiya set aside the shock in his heart and asked:

"Is there hope?"

"There is hope," Fei Shi said unhurriedly. "In the prophecy, we won, but it was a pyrrhic victory. Except for me, Naruto, and Sasuke, everyone else died. I will explain the meaning of those things in the prophecy to you later."

"Now, I must also set aside my slacker personality; I cannot continue to be lazy. Naruto and Sasuke have high potential, as do Hinata and Neji. These can be considered direct descendants of the Otsutsuki."

"Let them endure more hardship now; I will find a way to help them grow. The future is not a war between ninja villages, but a war between civilizations."

"For the sake of this world, these fledglings must learn to spread their wings and soar."